Recently, I had the chance to interview the incredible Fall 2024 cohort of interns and learn about the unique perspectives they bring to our team. With diverse academic backgrounds and a shared commitment to social justice, each intern contributes something special. Their passion for advocacy and community engagement is truly inspiring. Read on to meet the faces behind the work and discover what drives them to make a difference.
Meet Patrick Benson, our Fall Community Justice Intern!
Patrick is from St. Louis and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a double minor in Psychology and Veterans Studies. A proud Marine Corps veteran, Patrick is employed by the Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM) as a Case Manager in the Release-to-Rent/Veterans Program, where he assists veterans involved in the criminal justice system as they re-enter society.
For the past two years, Patrick has worked with Empower Missouri on the Clean Slate Initiative, advocating for criminal legal system reform. He has testified before the House Judiciary Committee in support of the initiative, drawing from both his professional experiences and personal journey.
Through his time at CJM, both as a client and a case manager, Patrick has seen firsthand the inequities within the criminal legal system. This motivated him to pursue a Master of Social Work with a focus on policy, with the ultimate goal of addressing these issues on a larger scale. Patrick is eager to work alongside Empower Missouri, a premier policy advocacy organization in the state, and contribute to their impactful work in criminal justice reform.
Outside of his advocacy work, Patrick is a former professional MMA fighter and still actively trains and corners fighters today. He and his wife are avid music fans and frequently travel to attend concerts together. Another interesting fact about Patrick is that he is a below-the-knee amputee. After injuring his leg in a car accident in 2017, he elected to have it amputated in 2020, and he has embraced life with the same resilience and determination that has defined his career and personal journey.
Patrick is passionate about community justice policy and aims to make a lasting impact in this field, working towards a system that is equitable and just for all.
Meet Ayden O’Connor, our Fall Development Intern!
Ayden is originally from Los Angeles, but he grew up in Republic, Missouri and currently resides in Springfield, Missouri. He is a junior at Missouri State University, majoring in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Economics. With a background in nonprofit work, Ayden is excited to intern with Empower Missouri. He previously volunteered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as a Youth Ambassador, where he enjoyed sharing his voice and providing resources to others. When he learned about the opportunity to intern with Empower, he knew it was the perfect fit for him.
Ayden is particularly looking forward to attending the Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit, as he has been working behind the scenes to help organize the event. He finds the idea of seeing everything come together to be incredibly rewarding. Additionally, he is eager to learn about the technologies used for fundraising and to explore new software; he loves discovering innovative tools to enhance his skills.
His long-term aspiration is to become an entrepreneur with a focus on consulting for nonprofits and small businesses. Ayden believes that his experience at Empower will provide invaluable insight into the inner workings of a nonprofit, which will be crucial for guiding others in their operations.
Outside of work, Ayden enjoys collecting and building LEGO sets, particularly LEGO Star Wars. Another fact about Ayden that most people don’t know is that he has competed in several pumpkin pie-eating contests, placing in four to five competitions.
Ayden approaches his work with an open mind, always seeking multiple ways to complete a task. He finds that this leads to more efficient and thorough methods, allowing him to think outside the box and adapt to challenges.
Meet Hannah Fraser, our Fall Affordable Housing Intern!
Hannah is completing her final semester in the Master of Social Work program at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Originally from Apex, North Carolina, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Spanish from Western Carolina University. Before pursuing her graduate studies, Hannah served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in the NC Hunger Corps and later as a VISTA Leader with North Carolina Campus Engagement. With a passion for mezzo and macro social work, she is dedicated to fighting poverty and addressing systemic inequities.
Hannah is deeply committed to mitigating the effects of poverty, racial injustice, and climate change. She is excited to intern with Empower Missouri as an Affordable Housing Intern, where she will further her understanding of policy advocacy and the legislative process. Over the past year and a half, she has gained firsthand insight into the critical role affordable housing plays in solving homelessness across the state and country. After graduating in December with her MSW, Hannah hopes to continue her work in the housing sector.
Hannah’s journey has been shaped by her diverse experiences. She was fortunate to study abroad in Costa Rica during her undergraduate studies, which had a profound impact on her perspective. Graduating in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, she quickly transitioned into her first term of AmeriCorps VISTA service, focusing on food insecurity in rural North Carolina. Her experiences in service inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work, leading her to Missouri for her graduate studies.
At Empower Missouri, Hannah is eager to learn about the processes involved in developing policy and passing legislation. She has already begun preliminary research into potential policy solutions and looks forward to participating in the next steps toward introducing legislation. Her approach to social work emphasizes leveraging the experiences and successes of others, drawing from best practices to adapt proven strategies to meet communities’ specific needs.
Hannah’s long-term career goals include working in the community and economic development sector to combat poverty. She believes that effective advocacy for policy changes is essential to removing systemic barriers and creating opportunities for economic stability. This internship aligns perfectly with her aspirations, as it will equip her with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote equity and provide the resources individuals and communities need to thrive.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys singing, practicing yoga, and cooking. One fun fact about her is that she has been learning to play the bass guitar. Unique in her approach to work, Hannah believes that individuals are the true experts of their own experiences. She prioritizes listening to others’ voices and understanding desired outcomes, empowering communities in driving their own transformation.
Meet Estelle McLaughlin, our Fall Communications Intern!
Estelle is a senior at Saint Louis University, double majoring in Political Science and American Studies. Originally from Elkhorn, Nebraska, she is an active advocate for social justice, sustainability, and community well-being. On campus, she runs a free-to-take closet that provides essential items for students and serves on the Student Government Association as Chief of Staff. Estelle combines her passion for grassroots organizing with her academic focus, working to create tangible change in her community.
She is currently applying to law schools, where she hopes to study international law or immigration law. With a love for travel, culture, and writing, Estelle has studied abroad in Madrid and enjoys reflecting on cultural and societal issues. She is excited to hone her skills through her current internship, hoping to make a lasting impact in the fields of advocacy and social justice.
As a Communications Intern at Empower Missouri, Estelle was drawn to the organization because of the team’s advocacy on a wide range of issues and the understanding that all systemic problems are interconnected. She works on advocacy and outreach projects, developing social media campaigns and engaging audiences on topics like housing justice, food security, and equitable public policy. Estelle hopes to better tell the life stories of others through this internship, amplifying marginalized voices and driving change through informed public discourse.
One piece of trivia about Estelle is that she is both a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient and a Boy Scout Eagle Scout. Beyond her academic and activist pursuits, she loves binging shows, traveling, hanging out with friends, gaming, hammocking, and calling her brothers. She’s also deeply passionate about cultural exchange and the power of storytelling. Having traveled extensively across North America, Europe, and Asia, she values the insights that she has gained from cultures around the world and brings that perspective into her work.
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